Match lift challenge

The match lift is about what happens inside you when you try a new move. Unless you have learned the piano, you will probably find this simple exercise quite baffling.

Firstly, take a normal sized match box, remove three matches, and stand it on its striker side. Then lay out two of the matches either side of the box, with at least half their length protruding beyond the box.  Take the third match and lay it across the other two matches, perpendicular to them, and a bit away from the box.

The goal now is to place the pad of your middle finger firmly between the two matches. Then lift the third match using your first and third finger, and place it on top of the box. All the while, keeping the pad of your middle finger firmly in contact with the desk.

When I first tried this, I was really surprised by my inability to move my muscles. My fingers just stayed where they were (unless I lifted my middle finger).

After a bit of practice, the signals do eventually get through and your muscles begin to respond, but until you reach that point, it is quite fascinating to experience.

Coin Shuffle Challenge

Take five coins; three of one denomination and two of another. Place them with their centres in a line, in alternating order.

The coin shuffle challenge is about changing the alternating order of the coins so that they are grouped in their two different types. The rules are:

1. Coins have to be moved as touching pairs of the two different types.
2. One or both of them must be touching another coin at the end of the move.
3. The coins have to be in line, and  you cannot twist them around to change the order.
4. You cannot shunt them together or apart.
5. You have five moves.

The puzzle is laid out in this video. The solution is at the end of the video.

But as before the goal is to get away from the screen, so once you have seen the video (even the solution) move away from the screen and practice it from time to time.

There is no trick to it, and it is a very simple puzzle, but it is surprisingly difficult to work out (even once you have seen it).

Warning, these may be addictive

It is surprising how little things like spinners, tops and puzzles can help people relax and then work better afterwards. It is almost that in taking the brain to other areas of functionality, it stretches in a different dimension and allows more space for things to happen.

If you are finding this is working for you, the red track is to indulge yourself a bit more in this space. Try out different puzzles or dexterity skills, like magic tricks and sleight of hand for instance – anything that expands your use of different areas of the brain for a while.

To help you with this, I have included some links to various resources in the Pack section.